Textus Haereticorum

Andrew Treloar's Textus Haereticorum is a bold, intellectually ambitious thriller that fuses academic intrigue, historical conspiracy, and a dash of existential weariness into a compelling narrative. The novel follows Professor Alex Carey, a disillusioned but sharp-witted historian at Northern Arizona University, as he's drawn into a labyrinthine mystery triggered by the arrival of an enigmatic, centuries-old letter sealed with an untraceable ecclesiastical crest. Carey, with the help of his brilliant graduate student Claire Marlowe, embarks on a quest that takes them from dusty lecture halls to the shadowy crypts of Europe, unraveling layers of religious and political secrets that threaten to upend the very foundations of Christian history. Treloar's prose is atmospheric and richly detailed. He excels at evoking the tactile reality of academia-the battered satchels, the flickering lights, the scent of dry marker and old books-while simultaneously imbuing the story with a sense of high-stakes urgency. The dialogue is crisp and authentic, especially in the exchanges between Carey and Marlowe, whose mentor-mentee dynamic is both believable and emotionally resonant. The supporting cast, including shadowy Vatican operatives and secretive monastic orders, are sketched with enough depth to avoid caricature, lending weight to the novel's conspiratorial undertones. What sets Textus Haereticorum apart is its fearless engagement with heretical possibilities. The narrative doesn't shy away from challenging orthodoxies, presenting a plausible, meticulously researched alternative history in which Judas is recast not as traitor but as savior, and Jesus' fate diverges radically from canonical accounts. Treloar's handling of these revelations is deft-he balances scholarly skepticism with genuine wonder, allowing the reader to inhabit the thrill of discovery alongside his protagonists. At nearly 400 pages, the novel is dense but rarely drags. Some readers may find the historical exposition heavy at times, but for those who relish the intersection of history, theology, and suspense, Textus Haereticorum is a rewarding, provocative read. It's a thinking person's thriller-one that lingers in the mind long after the final page.

About the Author :
Andrew Treloar is a loving husband and father of two-a son, Mitchell, and a daughter, Kyniska. He lives with his wife, Andrea, in their rural home in sunny Hervey Bay, Queensland.Andrew has had a varied career: he began with a stint in the Royal Australian Army as an engineer with the Royal Australian Engineers (RAE), later working as a contract electrician before settling into a full-time career as a project manager. He holds degrees in both Project Management and Construction Management and is always on the lookout for a new challenge.From an early age, Andrew was an avid reader-a passion passed down wholesale from his father, a career army officer. He started with the ubiquitous adventures of Wilbur Smith and Clive Cussler, before becoming captivated by the world of techno-thrillers by the likes of Stephen Coonts, Michael Crichton, and Dale Brown. Over time, his tastes evolved to include thrillers by Dan Brown, Dean Koontz, Harlan Coben, and Stieg Larsson-all of whom have influenced Andrew's writing style and prose.Though Andrew considers himself an amateur writer-unreviewed and as yet unpublished-he believes his work has reached a level of maturity capable of entertaining readers and leaving them wanting more.If he were to review his own debut novel, Textus Haereticorum, he might say: "Treloar's writing is confident and atmospheric, alternating between razor-sharp dialogue and detailed, immersive prose. The pacing is deliberate yet satisfying, with revelations unfolding organically. The novel weaves theological speculation with historical fact, inviting the reader to question the veracity of institutional narratives without lapsing into conspiracy for conspiracy's sake. The mystery is well-structured, with breadcrumbs expertly laid throughout."While self-praise may be subjective, it might just be worth checking him out.When not writing, Andrew finds peace in the quiet solitude of his rural Hervey Bay home-or rides Tomsk, his trusted Triumph Tiger, down dirt trails and forgotten tracks, chasing silence, dust, and the kind of adventure that leaves no map behind.